Wednesday, 27 May 2015

More Passive Aggressive Agenda War: Battle of the Reading Log

Our last bout went rather well. Better than I expected, actually. In fact, she was suspiciously cool about it given the tone of the note I had sent her. She basically said "No problem! That's certainly understandable! And also I want to meet with you to discuss Frack's progress."

What. The. Fuck.

Whyyyyyyyy??????????????

Because at that point I had already met with her three times and had also just received a report card whose purpose is to, you know, discuss his progress. I had just informed her that I have a new job and work long hours which was why Frack's reading log wasn't being signed every day. And her response is to suggest using up more of my free time having a carbon copy of every meeting we have ever had?

Because you know for damned sure she isn't going to bring up anything that's really bothering her.

And that is exactly what happened. I'd hoped maybe she had something new to add. I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt. I thought, "Maybe she was gong to ask me to meet before I sent her that note. Maybe she has real concerns to talk about. Maybe this will be a productive and worthwhile parent teacher meeting."

NOPE!

We spent a half hour having the same conversation in person that we have always had.

Her: I have concerns about Frack's participation in class. Also he is falling behind in reading. And he doesn't seem to understand how to follow instructions

Me: Yeah, Frack is incredibly shy, especially if he gets upset or is put on the spot. Also he was very speech delayed and often has trouble processing language. He really needs simple instructions given to him one step at a time. And if he is upset or stressed out his understanding of any language completely shuts down.

Her: I don't think he's shy. He's always acting too silly.

Me: Well he is a seven year old boy.

Her: He needs to be at level 7 in reading by the end of the year. He is in level 4 right now.

Me: We're working on it.

At this moment in time I have officially met with Frack's teacher four times. FOUR TIMES!!! Just how much of a problem is this kid? Frack is one of the easiest to deal with children I have ever encountered. My older son has ADHD which comes with a host of actual behavioural problems and I have never had to meet with his teachers this often in one year!

Well now this new, latest note takes the cake.

"Frack has just progressed to level 5 in reading! But he is having difficulty with the words. I would really like to meet with you to discuss his progress."

ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME???

My kid makes PROGRESS and you need to meet with me about it? What kind of bullshit hand-holding do you need from me, lady? What could you possible have to say to me that you didn't say when we met TWO WEEKS AGO?

And REALLY, I am somewhat amazed at her concerns for Frack's literacy. Frack can read and write. He reads and writes at home all day long because he thinks it's fun. He likes to write his own story books. Just what exactly are her standards????

Well, ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to show you a sample of level 5 reading for the first grade.

That is quite a collection of 50¢ words for Grade 1

If that is level 5 reading then what the hell are they reading for level 7? This teacher would have me believe that Frack will grow up to be an illiterate hobo when back in my day the most challenging thing I had to read at the tender age of seven was "Look Dad! A jet! A jet! A jet!" (Thank you, Mr. Mugs reading series!)

Personally, I believe that if you are assigning a child homework that they cannot do without help then you have no business assigning that homework. Children should be able to do their homework on their own with maybe just a little guidance and advice from parents. Furthermore, there just shouldn't be any homework for first graders, period.

This reading log business is effectively killing Frack's passion for words. He struggled though this page with tears of frustration in his eyes. At which point I told him he didn't have to read it anymore. His relief was palpable.

Not the work of a child with reading problems.

I don't think I should be upset, or meeting with teachers, because my seven year old is having difficulty reading in another language at what appears to be a third grade level.

I informed Mme. That there just isn't any convenient time I could name to meet with her because of my job. She said we could even talk over the phone if that helped and just to name a time.

I have decided to simply never name that time.

She has had enough of my free time as it is. Five meetings? No, thank you very much. To continue to ask for my free time when there isn't any real problem and I have recently communicated that I have so little free time I can barely read with my child on a daily basis just seems like she is trying to punish me for thwarting her on this stupid agenda signing.